Dr Amit Dias speaks at the Alzheimer's awareness programme organised by the Rotary Club of Panaji.
PANAJI
Dr Amit Dias from the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at GMC and founder secretary of the Dementia Society of Goa has called upon the Rotary Club to champion the cause to fight dementia just as it did for polio eradication.
He was delivering the keynote address at an event organised by the Rotary Club of Panaji on Wednesday, observed as World Alzheimer's Day.
Dr Dias said research carried out in the world, since the first description by Dr Alois Alzheimer's, has revealed that dementia including Alzheimer's disease can be prevented.
“Even if a person has dementia, a lot can be done with empathy and understanding and the right kind of support,” said Dr Dias.
"It’s like a lifestyle disease, and a lot can be done to delay the process or even prevent it," explained Dr Amit Dias.
"Social interaction, physical activity, control of diabetes, hypertension, avoiding smoking, alcohol and getting involved in activities that stimulate the brain can help in the process of prevention.”
Dr Dias informed that according to Alzheimer's Disease International, there is a new case of dementia every 3 seconds.
“India has over 4 million people with dementia. Goa with a rapidly ageing population, is estimated to have over 5,000 people with this condition,” explained Dr Dias.
“Rotary Club can take this as a new challenge to champion the cause to fight dementia just as they did for polio eradication. All it needs is the willingness to be a part of a solution and a selfless attitude,” he added.
Dr Dias suggested that awareness is a big boost that service organisations can assist in partly addressing the growing concern to minimize efforts by health workers.
“Stigma often forms a big barrier, due to which many a times, people do not get an early diagnosis and appropriate care. Efforts need to be made to fight stigma and the myths surrounding the condition,” he added.
